MADISON, embracing an area twenty-seven miles square, lies between
Woodville on the north and Scott on the south. Wood county is the
western boundary, and Washington township the eastern. The geological
feature of this township is the two limestone ridges, or outcrops, which
traverse its territory. A ride on the road leading from Hessville to
Gibsonburg will convince the most unobserving traveller of an unusual
formation, for protruding ledges occur provokingly near each other, and
are calculated to disturb the mildest temper. But these outcrops are of
great economic value. Quarries located on their summits are worked with
comparative ease. The rock is of excellent quality for the manufacture
of lime, an industry which has been the means of building up, since
1S71, a town third, numerically, within the county. Curiosity naturally
leads to inquiry into the cause of the solid rock formation being thus
broken. The only explanation geology has ever set forth is, that after
the upper limestone layer or stratum had been formed of calcareous
fossils, a powerful disturbance took place, perhaps making a continent
of the bottom of the sea. The tenacity of a comparatively thin shell of
rock could afford very little resistance to a force of such giant power.
The earth's crust, broken in huge blocks, resembled the breaking up of
the ice on a lake surface in spring-time. But an era of quiet restored
permanence. Drift, which has covered the surface and formed the soil,
filled up the gaps. The drift naturally covered lightly the ridges
caused by meeting edges, leaving the surface stony and throwing
obstructions in the way of easy cultivation.
The western part of Madison is flat and mucky, but an extensive system
of ditching has made the soil capable of high cultivation, and
remuneratively productive. Sugar Creek takes a course almost due north,
and is the best natural drain in the township. Its source is in Sugar
Creek prairie, in Scott township. Two branches of Coon Creek drain the
remaining area of the western part of the township. Here log houses,
stumpy fields, and extensive woods, thick with underbrush, indicate the
age of the settlement; ditches, bearing away streams of living water,
explain the cause.
Madison has had an uneventful life, and her history will therefore be
short. There are none of those exciting episodes to record which throw a
whole community into a foment of excitement, and then live in fireside
traditions longer than the memory of families themselves. She passes the
chronicle of crime to her neighbor Scott, where certainly there is
plenty of material to fill it. Madison has been rapidly developed
materially against adverse natural conditions. No higher compliment can
be paid her first settlers and citizens.
THE SETTLEMENT.
The first lands were entered in Madison in 1830 and 1S31. Very few, if
any, squatters had penetrated the swamp before that time. This sickly
flat, made hideous by the hum of mosquitoes, had no attractions for the
professional rovers, whose general character is delineated in a previous
chapter. Settlement here involved sacrifices which no one was willing to
endure, except in the hope of building up a home, and providing a
heritage for their children. All who came had the necessary resolution
to make them wealthy men, but more than half were wanting in the
stability necessary for pioneer service; they abandoned their stations
and sought a more promising clime. Most of those who remained, the
pioneers of to-day, accomplished in a satisfactory measure the object of
their ambition. They have also performed a high mission in life by
clearing, plowing, and ditching, thus finishing the work of creation by
adapting nature to the use of civilized man.
As a guide to the location of early settlers, as they are mentioned in
the foregoing sketch, a list of the original land entries is herewith
given. The date of entry in nearly every case antedates the date of
record five years. A further explanation is found in connection with
York township. What is said there concerning the State turnpike lands
does not apply here, there being no pike lands in this township:
The following entries are recorded in 1825:
|
SECTION.
|
ACRES.
|
John W. Allen
|
7
|
160
|
Joel Benton
|
25
|
40
|
Eli Charles
|
11
|
160
|
Charles T. Gilmore
|
34
|
40
|
E. P. Hathaway
|
29
|
160
|
Richard I. Hayek
|
20
|
80
|
Gideon and James Hathaway
|
30
|
80
|
Freborn Hathaway
|
30
|
79
|
N. P. Hathaway
|
19
|
160
|
N. P. Hathaway
|
17
|
80
|
Jac Kemerling
|
25
|
40
|
David Kepford
|
18
|
39
|
George Lightner
|
19
|
39
|
Marcus Montelius
|
20
|
160
|
Marcus Montelius
|
11
|
80
|
George Orwig
|
12
|
80
|
Philip Roush
|
12
|
80
|
Wilson Teeters
|
34
|
80
|
Thomas Withers
|
22
|
80
|
The following entries are recorded in 1836:
|
SECTION.
|
ACRES.
|
Jacob Burkett
|
18
|
40
|
William Blank
|
9
|
80
|
N. P. Hathaway
|
31
|
82
|
Augustus Hastings
|
29
|
40
|
T. P. Johnson
|
2
|
80
|
Joel Kemerling
|
26
|
80
|
Daniel Kratzer
|
26
|
158
|
Isaac Ludwig
|
25
|
120
|
George Orwig
|
11
|
40
|
William Reed
|
14
|
40
|
Merrit Scott
|
35
|
160
|
Daniel Smith
|
27, 28
|
80
|
J. D. Storms
|
19
|
80
|
Jesse Stone
|
10, 11
|
80
|
David Smith
|
17
|
40
|
David Smith, jr
|
17
|
80
|
David Smith
|
20
|
80
|
Morris and John Tyler
|
20
|
160
|
John Topping
|
22
|
80
|
Hector Topping
|
22
|
40
|
A. B. Tyler and C. Pettibone
|
27
|
80
|
A. B. Tyler and C. Pettibone
|
15
|
40
|
B. Vroornan
|
10
|
40
|
The following entries were recorded in 1837:
|
SECTION.
|
ACRES.
|
Charles Hazleton
|
22
|
40
|
George Sinclair
|
30
|
161
|
George Sinclair
|
30
|
40
|
The following entries were recorded in 1838:
|
SECTION.
|
ACRES.
|
Henry P. Allen
|
33
|
160
|
Joel Russiquire
|
31
|
160
|
Joel Russiquire
|
32 and 33
|
80
|
The following entries were recorded in 1839:
|
SECTION.
|
ACRES.
|
John Burus
|
29, 32
|
240
|
John Brown
|
25
|
160
|
Solomon Burgman
|
25
|
160
|
Christian Burgman
|
13
|
80
|
F. C. Clark
|
33
|
40
|
John Causer
|
13
|
160
|
Benjamin Cramer
|
33
|
80
|
Elias Frank
|
31
|
82
|
Jacob Garn
|
22, 23, 15
|
360
|
Jacob Garn
|
21, 20
|
160
|
John Hazzard
|
23, 26
|
160
|
Josiah Harman
|
36
|
160
|
Charles Hazelton
|
34
|
160
|
George Ickes
|
25
|
80
|
Elias Miller
|
36
|
160
|
Jacob Mathews
|
30
|
160
|
Jonas Rishel
|
14, 35
|
160
|
William Reed
|
23
|
80
|
Adam Shaffer
|
36
|
160
|
John Straughan
|
28
|
160
|
David Smith
|
32, 33
|
120
|
Merrit Scott
|
27
|
80
|
Charles Taylor
|
32
|
40
|
Benjamin Yates
|
28
|
80
|
Jasper Whitney
|
9, 10
|
320
|
John Whitford jr.
|
32
|
160
|
William Whitford
|
32
|
80
|
Godfrey Wheeland
|
14
|
160
|
Lewis O. Whitmore
|
34
|
160
|
Edward Webb
|
28
|
80
|
Andrew Wood
|
53
|
160
|
Fred Zepherick
|
14, 13
|
160
|
The following entries were recorded in 1840:
|
SECTION.
|
ACRES.
|
Christian August
|
23
|
80
|
Patrick Byrne
|
34
|
40
|
George Barrier
|
23, 28
|
240
|
Joshua Cope
|
17
|
40
|
Augustus Campbell
|
24, 26
|
160
|
Frederick Clark
|
35
|
80
|
Charles Choate
|
13
|
160
|
Augustus Campbell
|
26
|
240
|
Samuel Croaks
|
13
|
80
|
John Dixon
|
19
|
159
|
John Dixon, jr
|
19
|
79
|
Archibald Esther
|
35
|
40
|
J. L. Flack, 2d
|
13
|
80
|
Daniel Forbes
|
31, 17
|
200
|
Jacob Garn
|
27
|
80
|
George Hartman
|
14
|
80
|
James and George Holcomb
|
27
|
160
|
N. P. Hathaway
|
31, 32
|
163
|
George Ickes
|
25
|
40
|
John Kills
|
34
|
40
|
Jacob Karn
|
24, 23, 15
|
360
|
Benjamin Kester
|
14
|
80
|
Daniel Kern
|
29
|
80
|
Joseph Kratzer
|
7
|
80
|
George Lightner
|
19
|
39
|
Jacob Maugas
|
23
|
80
|
In 1840 the following entries were recorded:
|
SECTION.
|
ACRES.
|
Daniel McIntosh
|
27
|
80
|
John Marder
|
29
|
80
|
Eli Murry, sr.
|
18
|
79
|
Samuel Myers
|
18
|
80
|
Adam Moyer
|
19
|
80
|
John Moore, jr
|
18
|
79
|
Philip Moore
|
18
|
39
|
J. D. Orwig
|
12
|
80
|
Jacob Poorman
|
8 and 9
|
120
|
Henry Roller
|
35
|
160
|
Calvin Salisbury
|
31
|
40
|
William Smith
|
34
|
40
|
Benjamin Stanton
|
24
|
160
|
Benjamin Stanton
|
21
|
80
|
Daniel Spohn
|
26
|
160
|
Jacob Staner
|
33, 28 and 27
|
160
|
George Spencer
|
31
|
40
|
John Teeters
|
32
|
160
|
Wilson Teeters
|
34
|
80
|
Samuel Warts
|
24
|
160
|
The first settler of Madison was Henry P. Allen, who came to the
township about 1831 and built a cabin on the King farm. He was a New
Englander by birth. Although the first settler he is not remembered with
that affectionate interest which would secure for him an extended
notice. He left the country in a few years and was afterward drowned.
We are unable to mention in their order the early arrivals. The year
1833 made a great change in the appearance of the township. It is often
said that people are like sheep; when one takes the lead the flock
follows. This characteristic of human nature demonstrates itself in the
settlement of a country. Thus it happens that the first settler of a
district, in an historical sense, is the central figure of an important
epoch.
The second settler of Madison township, and the first one whose
residence was permanent, was David Smith, who was born in Pennsylvania
in 1777. He married Catharine Blank, by whom a family of seven sons and
six daughters were born. The family in 1821 removed to Columbiana
county, Ohio. In 1832 Mr. Smith entered a tract of land in Madison
township, and shortly afterward recommenced the life of a pioneer. At
the first election, in 1834, he was elected one of the justices of the
peace and held the office many years. As will be seen by reference to a
previous chapter, he filled the office of county assessor for a number
of years. By trade Mr. Smith was a gunsmith, and was a workman of more
than ordinary skill. He died in his ninetieth year. Mrs. Smith died at
the age of seventy-four.
Daniel Smith was born in Columbia county, Pennsylvania, in 1814. He is
the son of Daniel Smith, whose family settled in Columbiana county in
1821. He entered land in this township, on which he settled, and, in
1834, married Jeanette Holcomb, by whom he had seven children. Mrs.
Smith died at the age of forty-eight. He married again in 1863, Mrs.
Emma Brobst. Mr. Smith held the office of justice of the peace in
Madison township twenty-two years. He was admitted to the Bar in 1874.
David Smith, jr., came to the township from Columbiana county with his
father and entered a tract of land on which he settled and died.
John Reed was probably the next arrival in the township. He was followed
by James Holcomb, a native of Connecticut, who came to Ohio in 1824 and
settled in Portage county. He was married to Dorcas Trumbull and had a
family of seven children. In the summer of 1832 he removed with the
family to Madison, where he lived until the time of his death. Only
three of the children are living, George W., Moses v., and Gideon H.
George W., the oldest child living, is yet a resident of Madison
township. He was born January 11, 1808. He was married, in 1836, to
Catharine Smith, daughter of David Smith. Two of their three children
are living — David and Eli.
David Reeves, a native of New York, settled first in Columbiana county,
and then, in 1832, removed with his family to Madison. There seems at
this time to have been a stampede from Columbiana county to Madison. It
will be remembered that about the same time Washington township was
filling up with people from Perry county, most of whom were native
Pennsylvanians. Mr. Reeves was county surveyor eleven years. He died in
1847. The family consisted of thirteen children, five of whom are
living, one — Eli — in this township. The Reeves settlement was in the
south part of the township, near the present village of Rollersville.
Fred C. Clark settled in Madison about 1833. After a short period he
sold to Luther Chase, and removed to Wood county. The farm was
transferred by Chase to John Dean.
Jacob Staner came to Madison in 1833, and settled where Smith's saw-mill
is now located. He removed to Fremont in about ten years, and opened a
tavern.
George Ickes, one of the oldest of the pioneers of Madison, was born in
Bedford county, Pennsylvania, in 1800. He settled in Madison township
with his family about 1833. He married Margaret Croyle in 1821, and had
a family of thirteen children, ten of whom are living, viz: Henry, Adam,
Catharine, Thomas, Barbara, Sarah, Michael, Margaret, Sophia, and
George. Mrs. Ickes died in 1867.
William Whitford settled in the south part of the township in 1833. He
was one of the proprietors of the surveyed village of Rollersville. He
lived in the township until his death.
Benjamin Yates moved into the township from Columbiana county about the
same time. He removed from here to Michigan.
Another of the Columbiana county colony who came in 1833, was Angus
Campbell, a native of Scotland. He was a Scotch Presbyterian of the
strict school. He died in 1868 at the age of sixty-four years. His wife
survived him nine years. Eight of their eleven children are still
living.
Caleb Taylor and William Burkett settled in Madison in the year 1833.
Both had families, and became respected citizens.
The census duplicates of Jackson, Washington, and Madison register the
name Garn oftener than any other. Jacob Garn, the progenitor of the
Grains of Madison, was born in Bedford county, Pennsylvania, in 1799. In
1824, he married Elizabeth Bittle, and two years later emigrated to
Ohio. After spending two years in Richland, and five years in Seneca
county, the family settled in Madison in 1833. It was at Mr. Garn's
residence that the first election was held in 1834, also succeeding
elections for a number of years. This family is characteristic, at least
for size. The children numbered sixteen, fourteen of whom are living -
eleven boys and three girls. One boy and one girl are dead. Mr. Garn
died in 1879 at the ripe old age of eighty years. Mrs. Garn, the mother
of this large family, is yet living on the homestead. The children
living are: Andrew and John (twins), Sandusky county; Milton and Lizzie
(Turley),Wood county; Margaret (Barker), Elijah and Adam, Sandusky
county; Peter and Samuel, Williams county; Susannah (Warner),
California; Daniel, David and Levi, Sandusky county.
Abraham Shell was one of the earliest settlers of Scott township, but is
classed among the pioneers of Madison because more of his life was spent
here than anywhere else in the State. He was born in Pennsylvania in
1803. He married Lydia Fought and came to Scott township about 1829, and
remained two years, then moved to Columbiana county. Mr. Shell returned
to the county and settled in this township in 1832, where he remained
till 1849, then removed to Erie county, and died there in 185 1. The
family consisted of eight children, five of whom are living, viz: Elias,
Illinois; John, Nebraska; Absalom, Ballville; Jonathan, Ballville; and
Isadore, Madison. Absalom, who is a well-known citizen of Ballville
township, was born in 1839. He married, in 1859, Elizabeth Glass.
Josiah Harman came to Madison with his brothers, Frank and Merritt,
about 1833. Josiah taught school, and had a good reputation lor awhile.
What finally became of him is not known.
Benjamin Cramer settled on the Whitney farm about 1833. He soon became
discouraged and removed to Michigan.
Jasper Whitney was born in Ontario county. New York, November 8, 1803.
He settled in Seneca county, Ohio, in 1825, and in 1826 married
Elizabeth Gunwer, a native of Switzerland. During his residence in
Seneca county he had a severe attack of sickness. For fourteen days he
was unconscious and apparently lifeless. The physician pronounced him
dead, and every preparation was made for the funeral — coffin, shroud,
and all. Mrs. Whitney, however, insisted on delay. Her judgment and
resolution prevented what happens more frequently than people generally
suppose — burial before death. Mr. Whitney has never fully recovered his
strength, but has raised a large family and attained to a ripe old age.
He has cleared four hundred acres of land since coming to Ohio. The
family consisted of ten children, seven of whom are still living.
Following are their names: Edwin, Emily, and an infant daughter, all
deceased; Amelia (Spooner), Wood county; Erastus, Laporte county,
Indiana; Ezra, Cass county, Iowa; Ann, Washington township; Mary A.
(Russell), Madison; Ellen (Klotz), Wood county ; and Ami E. (King),
Madison township. Besides the severe and almost fatal illness above
described, he has suffered some severe injuries. In 1S40, while riding a
horse, Mr. Whitney was thrown off and broke his left leg. Again, in
1858, he was thrown from a wagon and broke the same limb, besides
receiving such injuries upon his head that he was for a long time
unconscious. Some six weeks after, while still suffering from the
effects of this accident, he was in the barn watching the men who were
threshing, when the horses ran over him and broke his other leg.
Ami M., Seventh child of Jasper and Elizabeth Whitney, was born in
Seneca county in 1842. He came to Madison with the Whitney family in
1852. He married, in 1862, Julia Damschrader, who was born in Toledo in
1844. Two children are living — Mary M., and Martha A. Mr. Whitney
removed to Washington township in 1869.
Elias Miller settled in Madison township about 1834. He died in this
township.
Charles Hazleton came to the township in 1S34. He was a native of
Vermont. He married, in Madison, Mary Wolcutt, and is now living m
Illinois.
Jeremiah King was one of the most useful men who ever lived in Madison.
He was born in Rhode Island in 1805. In 1826 he married Mary Dean, of
Massachusetts, and in 1834 they came to Sandusky county and purchased a
farm in Madison township. Being dissatisfied with the country they
returned to the East, but afterwards came back and settled on the farm
in Madison. He was killed May 6, 1856, at Aspinwall, while crossing the
Isthmus of Panama. He had been justice of the peace twelve years, and
was county commissioner several years. He was a leader in urging forward
public improvements. He was a machinist by trade.
Louis O. Whitman was the owner of a saw-mill. He settled about 1835.
Charles T. Gilmore, a native of New England, came to Madison about 1835.
He returned to the East five years afterward.
I. D. Storms settled in Madison about 1836. He died five years later.
The family removed to Michigan.
Peter and Jacob Kimmerling, born of Pennsylvania parentage, in Union
county, came to this county in 1836. Peter married, in Union county, in
1833, Elizabeth Hartzell, who died in 1859, leaving thirteen children,
viz: William, Catharine, James, John, Edward, Margaret, Mary, Julia A.,
Ellen, Bennel, Peter, Henry and Sarah. He married for his second wife,
Catharine Unger in 1861, and by her had a family of five children —
Saloma, Samantha, Abram, Jacob F., and Lillie M. Mr. Kimmerling left the
farm a few years ago and began keeping hotel in Gibsonburg. His family
are all married except three. William, Sarah, Bennel, Henry, and Peter
are dead.
Noah P. Hathaway was born in Massachusetts in 1801. He married Nancy
Payne in 1823, and in 1836 came to Ohio and settled in Madison township,
where he lived until 1858. He then removed to the present site of
Helena, where he remained two years, afterwards becoming a resident of
Scott. Fostoria was his home for twelve years from 1862. The family
consisted of six children — Rowena P. (Merrick), Attica, Indiana; Ann P.
(Thomas), Rollersville; Avis (Thompson), Rollersville; Adelaide C.
(deceased); Helena M. (Lloyd), Fostoria, and Sylvanus P., Scott
township. Mr. Hathaway killed the last wolf seen in Sandusky county, in
1858.
About 1S36 Freeborn, Gideon and James Hathaway settled in Madison, and
Philip in Scott.
William Blank settled in 1836. He died in the township nine years ago.
George Lightner settled about the same time.
David Kepford, a stone mason from Pennsylvania, came into Madison in
1836. He moved west from here.
Esquire Plumb settled west of the present village of Gibsonburg.
Joseph Slates was born in Carroll county, Maryland, in 1809. He married
Elizabeth Fleck in Pennsylvania. In 1854 he moved to this county and
resided in Jackson, then in Washington township, moving thence to
Madison, where he now resides. The family consists of nine children
living: Catharine, Madison township; Elizabeth (Snyder), Washington
township; Rebecca (Garn), Williams county; Jennie (Allen), Defiance
county; Lucinda (Klotz), Scott township; Ellen (Klotz), Madison
township; Lydia A. (Krotzer), Wood county; William, Madison township;
and Jacob, Michigan.
William Slater was born in Pennsylvania in 1837, and came to Ohio with
his parents. In 1873 he married Emeline Metzger, who died in 1874,
leaving one hild, Joseph.
D. P. Hurlbut, a native of Vermont, was born in Chittenden county in
1809. He came to Ohio in 1832 and settled in Geauga county. After about
one year he left the State and did not return till 1837, when he settled
in Madison township. He married, in 1834, Maria Woodbury, a native of
New Hampshire. Nine children blessed this union, seven of whom are
living, viz: Wheeler W., Emily A., Emory A., George M., Henry K., Phebe
M., and John L. Mr. Hurlbut purchased his farm at one dollar an acre,
land which would now bring in the market eight)- times that amount.
We have now sketched in a general way the first settlement of the
township. We have given our readers as much information concerning those
who went before and prepared the way for rapid improvement, and
progress, as our space and information can supply. It takes time and
labor to improve a country. The working pioneer really enlarges the
world by just as many acres as he clears and reduces to the use of
civilized society. But there is a class of later settlers who deserve
some attention, those who have carried on the battle commenced by the
pioneer army. This class is so large that we can mention but a few
families.
William Driftmeyer, son of Lewis and Isabella Driftmeyer, was born in
Germany in 1816. He came to America in 1842, and settled in Madison
township. He married, in 1843, Mary Cook, also a native of Germany. The
fruit of this union was eight children, viz: William (deceased), Henry,
Mary, Eliza, Sarah, Frederick, Sophia, and Louis. Mr. Driftmeyer is one
of the many foreign-born citizens who have earned by labor and economy,
a handsome estate, with no other start than a healthy body and
determined purpose. He came to this county without a cent, but is now
one of the wealthy men of the township.
John W. Hutchinson, son of William Hutchinson, was born in Wayne county,
Ohio, in 1832. In 1853 he married Rebecca Naylor, a daughter of Samuel
Naylor, and a native of Medina county, Ohio. He settled in 1853, in
Madison township. Three of their six children are living — William W.,
Willard B., and Charles. Mr. Hutchinson engaged in merchandising at
Rollersville one year, and is now carrying on undertaking and farming.
Mr Hutchinson assisted in building the house now used as the Methodist
church, the first frame building erected in Gibsonburg.
A. H. Tice, son of Peter Tice, was born in Fulton county, Pennsylvania,
in 1820. He married Catharine Noggle in 1844, and in 1853 settled in
Jackson township. In 1858 he removed to Madison. The family consisted of
ten children, nine of whom are still living, viz: Malinda, Emeline,
Andrew J., Elizabeth, James B., George W., Sarah J., Hattie, and Alpha.
Mr. Tice served as magistrate of Madison township nine years.
Samuel Bell, a son of Abraham Bell, was born in Cecil county, Maryland,
in 1823. He came to Ohio and settled in Ottawa county in 1834, where he
lived till 1862, when Madison became his home. In 1846 Mr. Bell married
Catharine Correll, of this county. Seven children blessed this union,
five boys and two
girls, all living — Sarah E. (Lloyd), Scott; William, Ottawa county;
James O., Ottawa county; Mary F. (Edmunds), Bradner, Wood county; Melvin
E., Ottawa county; Andrew and Elmer, Madison.
Robert R. Webster was born in Ontario county. New York, June, in 1807.
He came to Ohio in 1841, and settled in Erie county. Ten years later he
moved to Toledo, and lived there till 1867, when with his family he
settled in Madison township. He married, for his first wife, Amelia
McMillen; after her death he married Elizabeth Daum, widow of John P.
Daum. The fruit of both marriages was sixteen children, eleven of whom
are living, Mr. Webster may truthfully be called a veteran soldier,
having served three and one-half years in the Florida war, one year and
a half in the Mexican war, and two years in the Rebellion, in the
Sixty-seventh Ohio Volunteer Infantry.
Thomas Lattimore was born in this county in 1829, but while quite young
his parents moved to Ottawa county. He married, in 1852, Susan Park, of
Ottawa county, by whom four children were born, one boy and three girls,
who are living, viz: Elva V., Nancy E., Thomas O., and Susan. In 1879
Mr. Lattimore returned to his native county, and settled in this
township.
GIBSONBURG.
The construction of the Tiffin, Toledo & Eastern Railroad (now the
Pittsburgh, Fort Wayne & Chicago) seemed to create all along the line a
craze for towns. For this, as well as for the disappointment which has
or inevitably will result, the projectors of the road are responsible.
It will be remembered that as an inducement to secure a free right of
way, depots were promised at almost every road crossing, and flourishing
towns pictured at every point. Burgoon, Millersville, Helena, and
Gibsonburg — four towns within a distance of ten miles — have for ten
years been contesting for supremacy. All except one are flourishing
villages for their age, and good markets. But if the enterprise and
business of the four could be consolidated into two, there would be a
reasonable hope of growth beyond the limits of a village. From
experience has been deduced the adage: "The fittest survive." History is
not the place for prophesy. We therefore content ourselves
with brief outlines.
The founder of Gibsonburg was fortunately a man who knew the methods
necessary to accomplish the ends in view; in other words, he was a
business man. As a result, his town was given a start which attracted
the attention of other enterprising business men, who have assumed
management of affairs, and are furnishing the food necessary to nourish
a rapid and healthy growth. In ten years a population of six hundred has
been brought together, who are fed by solid and productive industries.
To William H. Gibson, of Tiffin, belongs the honor of founding this
town, which bears his name. After the railroad had been located, General
Gibson purchased a tract of ninety acres, and early in August, 1871,
surveyed forty acres into town lots. Associated with him in laying out
the town, as at first platted, August 5, 1871, were T. D. Stevenson and
J. F. Yeasting.
A post office was at once secured, T. D. Stevenson being commissioned to
take charge of the office. He was succeeded in 1873 by F. W. Dohn, the
present incumbent.
The first store was opened in 1871, by Zorn & Hornung, in their own
house which was also the first business building in the place.
P. H. Zorn, the senior member of this firm, was born in Germany. He came
to America in 1849, ^"d located at Fremont, where he was employed at
making shoes. He married Margaret Stotz and afterwards located at
Hessville, where he opened a shop and worked at the trade. By economy
and industry he was enabled in a short time to purchase a stock of boots
and shoes. This was the beginning of a successful mercantile career.
Adam Hornung, who had learned the shoemaker's trade in Mr. Zorn's shop,
was received as a partner, and the business enlarged to a general store.
The store at Gibsonburg was at first placed under the management of Mr.
Hornung, and conducted as a branch. The rapid growth of the village soon
induced the firm to consolidate at Gibsonburg, and Mr. Zorn became a
resident of the village. Merchandising has been continued
uninterruptedly since, the only change in the firm being the admission
of Henry Zorn into the partnership, in 1877.
The business of E. Farmer & Co. was established in 1873, by E. Farmer.
In 1875 F. W. Dorhn became a partner, and in 1879 the firm name changed
to Farmer, Dorhn & Co. Since 1880 the style of the firm has been E.
Farmer & Co. The senior partner, Mr. E. Farmer, is also extensively
engaged in other enterprises. He was born in Concord, Massachusetts, in
1842. In 1862 he enlisted in the One Hundred and Twentieth Ohio
Volunteer Infantry, and after the conclusion of the Rebellion settled in
business in Mansfield, Ohio, where, in 1867, he married Jennie Smith.
Mr. Farmer removed with his family to Gibsonburg in 1873. He is
enterprising in pushing the various industries in which he is interested
and at the same time is a public-spirited citizen.
The first drug store in the village was opened by Carlin & Markle, in
1874. In a short time it passed under the charge of Cribliz & Shull, and
the following year was purchased by the present owner, S. B. Stilson,
who is a practical business man and trained druggist. Before coming to
Gibsonburg Mr. Stilson was engaged in the drug trade for a number of
years at Oberlin, Ohio. He was born at Edinburg, Portage county, Ohio,
in 1848. His present business consists of trade in drugs, books, medical
instruments, etc.
It would be useless and tedious to trace all the changes in the hardware
and tinware business. The first store of this character was opened by A.
S. Herr. The line of succession was from Herr to Bordon & Powers, then
to A. J. Bordon, and from him, in 1878, to M. W. Hobart & Co., H. T.
Bowlus being the partner. Mr. Bowlus sold, in 1880, to Mr. Smith. The
business of this house is general tinwork, and trade in hardware,
tinware, stoves, building material, and agricultural implements. Mr.
Hobart, the senior member of the firm, is a native of Portage county. He
was engaged in trade in Pemberville,
Wood county, from 1872 till 1878.
The Gibsonburg hotel was built by W. H. Gibson, and placed in charge of
John Patterson. The property was purchased by Peter Kimmerling in 1875,
who has since been the obliging lord of the tavern. The bane of most
small towns, and in this connection we do not hesitate to include the
three first named in the introduction to this topic, is miserable dens
misnamed houses of entertainment. Gibsonburg, in this particular,
fortunately has nothing to complain of. The landlord is as obliging and
hospitable as he is loquacious, and the landlady as neat and careful as
the most fastidious could wish.
Nature here has left a legacy of inestimable value in the peculiar
geological formation spoken of in the introduction to this chapter. The
town stands nearly on the summit of the break or uplift, making it
comparatively easy to open quarries. The manufacture of lime is the
prevailing industry of the place. This industry, directly and
indirectly, employs about one hundred and fifty men.
The first lime-kiln was built by W. H. Gibson & Co. in 1873. A second
kiln was connected in 1877. Both are now owned by E. Farmer & Co. Their
capacity is eleven hundred barrels per week. Connected with these kilns,
and owned by the same firm, is the stave and heading factory. This
establishment manufactures general coopers' supplies, but was primarily
built for the manufacture of lime barrels. The firm employs eighty hands
and fifteen teams.
The lime-kilns operated by L. Friar & Co., a two-thirds interest in
which is owned by Zorn, Hornung & Co., have a capacity of seven hundred
barrels per week. Closely connected with this firm is the Hoop Factory
company, which supplies the lime barrels and also carries on the
manufacture of hoops on an extensive scale. Twelve thousand hoops a day
are turned out in busy seasons, and forty men are given steady
employment in all departments.
Zorn, Hornung & Co. inaugurated the grain trade. In 1875 they built an
elevator and are the only dealers at present.
Two stores have not been mentioned, A. Fraunfelter, merchant tailor, and
M. H. Porter, groceries and provisions. There are a number of saloons.
The first member of the medical profession who settled in Gibsonburg was
R. S. Hitell, who opened an office in 1873. He was a graduate of
Jefferson Medical college, and won a good reputation and profitable
practice during his residence here. He removed, in 1881, to Kansas City,
Missouri, where he is now practicing.
D. G. Hart, a native of Ashland county, began practicing in Gibsonburg
in 1877. He is a graduate of Cincinnati Medical college. His practice is
the best testimonial of the confidence reposed in him by the public.
E. B. Erwin opened an office in this place in 1881. He is a graduate of
Cleveland Medical college.
We have now outlined the growth of the village from a business point of
view. The exact population in 1880 was five hundred and eighty-six. The
growth since that time has been fully one hundred.
But a town needs more than business establishments. It must have
government, educational facilities, and societies for the promotion of
morality and social benevolence. Toward the building up of institutions
of this kind, Gibsonburg has already made a good beginning.
The public school enrolls one hundred and fifty pupils, and employs
three teachers. The growth of the village made the erection of a new
school-house necessary in 1876. The building contains three rooms. A
regular course of study was arranged in 1877 by T, D, Stevenson, who was
at that time principal. The village was set apart from the township as a
special school district in 1880. The first board were J. W. Marvin,
president; John Beach, Charles Sardis, J. B. Taylor, E. Garn, J.
Kininger.
T. D. Stevenson has been identified closely both with the business and
educational interests of Gibsonburg. He is the son of David Stevenson,
of Green Creek township. He learned the saddle and harness making trade
at Green Spring, and worked there till 1861, when he enlisted in the
Eighth Ohio Volunteer Infantry. At the close of the war he returned to
Green Spring, and worked at the trade till 1866. The next two years were
spent at Milan Normal school and Oberlin college. Mr. Stevenson then
came to Madison township, and engaged in school teaching till June,
1S81. He has been justice of the peace for ten years, and was from 1874
till 1877 senior partner in the firm of Stevenson, Smith & Co. Mr.
Stevenson married, in 1870, Rosetta A. Fowler, of Wood county, and has a
family of three children — Thomas B., Amos C., and Ray D. Mr. Stevenson
was admitted to the Bar in 1877.
The village was incorporated under the laws of Ohio in the spring of
1880. On the first Monday of April of that year, the following officers
were chosen: J. Kinninger, mayor; Eli Reeves, J. W. Marvin, Elijah Garn,
Charles Sanders, T. D. Stevenson, and M. W. Hobart, council; S. B.
Stilson, clerk; Adam Hornung, treasurer; George Kaunkle, marshal.
The Independent Order of Odd Fellows and Knights of Honor are both
represented in this village.
Gibsonburg Lodge No. 687, Independent Order of Odd Fellows, was
instituted August 12, 1879, with the following as charter members: T. D.
Stevenson, A. P. Johnson, John Veipch, Henry H. Tice, C. D. Patterson,
George L. Donnels, John Sandwich, Henry Zorn, C. W. Heseman, Charles
Urech, A. H. Tice, John D. Donnels, W. A. Penfield, John W. Brown, F. W
John. The past noble grands in their order are: T. D. Stevenson, John
Veipch, John L. Donnels, John W. Brown, and G. L. Donnels. The present
membership of the lodge is fifty-six.
Thomson Lodge No. 1413, Knights of Honor, was instituted October 9,
1879. Dr. J. G. Thomson, of Rollersville, stood sponsor at the
christening. The charter members were: R. S. Hittell, Jesse E. Caples,
S. B. Stilson, J. Kinninger, Charles A. Eslinger, Charles Urech, Henry
Diel, S. Immel, D. G. Hart, Joseph M. Bowser, Robert A. Mitchell, Peter
P. Wolcutt, Martin Vosburg, M. W. Hobart. The following is a list of
past dictators: R. S. Hittell, D. G. Hart, J. Kinninger, S. B. Stilson,
M. W. Hobart, J. B. Taylor, and J. W. Lewis.
There are in Gibsonburg three churches — Evangelical, Lutheran, and
Methodist. The first-named was organized long before the town had an
existence. There is one other — the United Brethren, one mile south of
the village, which for convenience will be sketched in this connection.
The Evangelical is probably the oldest religious society in the
township. It was formed, in 1836, of the following five individuals:
Peter Kimmerling and his wife Elizabeth, Jacob Kimmerling and his wife
Nancy, and Dena Wickard. The society was known as Basswood class. The
first meeting-house was built about 1845. The present house was
dedicated in 1874. The preachers have been: Revs. Lintner, Lumbert,
Haley, Longbrecht, Kopp, Sintzer, Eckley, Stroman, Storkley, Zintner,
Strohm, Smous, George, Thomas, Rife, Schupp, Crouse, Strohman, Wingard,
and Snyder. The present membership is about seventy.
Salem church, United Brethren, was organized near the time of the
organization of the Evangelical church. The first members were the
families of Jacob Garn, John Reed, and Lucas Fleck. John Fong and Peter
Fleck were the first preachers. The old log meeting-house was built in
1845. The present house, one mile directly south of Gibsonburg, was
built in 1864. There are about seventy members.
A Methodist Episcopal class was formed at Gibsonburg in 1873, Rev.
Christian Wolf being the first preacher. In 1877 the old school-house
was purchased and fitted up for a meeting-house. There are at present
about fifty members.
A Lutheran congregation was formed in 1875, Rev. George Gratz pastor. A
meetinghouse was built in 1876. The membership includes about fifty
families.
ORGANIZATION.
Three townships bear the names of illustrious Presidents of the United
States. Jackson, the first of the three established, adopted the name of
the great organizer, if not real founder, of the Democratic party, who
at that time was at the head of the Government. A new township,
bordering Jackson on the north, was formed a year later, and, at the
request of its leading men, was honored with the name of the noble
patriot whose name has been a household word since the foundation of the
Government. The first settlers of Washington probably felt like
declaring their patriotism in some way or other, even though it was
necessary to lay aside partisan feeling and accept the name of the great
antagonizer of Jeffersonian principles, for the majority were genuine
Jacksonian Democrats. It is barely possible,however, that the minority
who drafted the petition took advantage of the majority's ignorance of
political history, and secured for the new township the name of the
distinguished Federalist leader.
June 3, 1834, Madison was brought into being, and, in answer to the
request of leading residents, was complimented with the name of that
other distinguished champion of early Democracy, and Chief Executive
during the War of 1812 — James Madison. The township originally included
all of township five, range thirteen, but, in 1840, when Woodville was
organized, a strip one mile and a half wide was struck off the north
side and attached to Woodville, leaving Madison six miles long and four
and one-half wide.
The first election was held on the 4th day of July, 1833, at Jacob
Garn's blacksmith shop, near the centre of the township, where
succeeding elections were held for a number of years. The officers
chosen were: David Smith and John Reed, justices of the peace; James A.
Holcomb, Jacob Garn, and William Whitford, trustees; Jesse Johnson,
George Ickes, and John Reed, supervisors; Daniel Mcintosh, treasurer;
William Smith, constable; Frederick Clark and Henry P. Allen, overseers
of the poor; Gideon Harmon and Elias Miller, fence viewers.
INITIAL ITEMS.
The first frame barn in the township was built by James A. Holcomb.
An impetus was given to the settlement of Scott and Madison townships in
1836 by the erection of a steam saw-mill on Sugar Creek, which was
placed in charge of Crawford King. Why so much importance should be
attached to the building of a saw-mill it is hard for an observer of the
present day to understand. But a revolution has taken place in this part
of the county since 1836. Boards, if not a necessity, are inestimably
convenient. Other things being equal, settlers will seek locations where
the use of puncheons for floors and doors is unnecessary. The condition
of the roads made it impossible to haul lumber any distance, so that, in
the absence of a local mill, there was no alternative to the use of
puncheons. This mill was owned by a joint stock company, known as the
Farmers' Union Milling company. Jeremiah N. King was the leading spirit
in the enterprise, and was chosen president of the company. The stock
was owned by local parties. In a financial point of view the
establishment proved a failure, but the main object for which it was
built was accomplished.
The second saw-mill in the township was built by Jacob Garn.
The first cemetery in the township was located in section twenty-three,
and has become a township burying-ground named Madison township
cemetery. Mrs. Lucas Flake was the first person buried there.
Quinchan cemetery has also become a public burying ground. Its
incipiency was the burial of a child of Jacob Staner. The institutions
of a new country usually begin in a very simple way. In the case of a
cemetery for instance, some one dies. No tract in the immediate
neighborhood has been dedicated for the burial of the dead. A grave is
dug at the nearest dry and elevated spot. The place is marked with a
wooden picket, and fenced up by a square of rails. Soon there is another
death, and the body is buried by the side of the first. In course of
time it becomes necessary to enlarge the enclosure. The place becomes
recognized as a public lot for burial, and eventually is deeded by the
owner of the land to the township, a church, or association. The wooden
slabs have, in most instances, been displaced by lettered freestone, but
in some instances the perishable wood has rotted away, and the
resting-place of the eternal sleeper is forever unknown.
The first school in Madison township was on the Staner farm, and was
taught by Eliza Davidson. Daniel Smith was one of the early teachers in
this house.
The last wolf seen in the county was killed by N. P. Hathaway in 1858.
This is an "initial item” in the sense that it marked the beginning of
safety for sheep and other weak domestic animals.
The first important ditch through the township begins in Wood county,
drains the northwest corner of Scott township and the western part of
Madison, emptying into Sugar Creek in Madison.
Rollersville is divided by the township line, and is briefly sketched in
a previous chapter.
HIGH WIND.
In the year 1839 Madison was visited by the most terrific storm ever
known in the western part of the county. It was one of the three great
tornadoes which have touched our territory, and, as it was second in
regard to time, so also was it second in power and destructiveness. The
first passed over Green Creek and Townsend, and the last over the south
part of Green Creek. The Madison tornado fortunately passed over a
sparsely populated region of country and did little real damage. The
timber in its path was splintered and twisted to the ground. But this
circumstance, at that time when forest was a nuisance rather than a
resource of wealth, had little effect upon values. It made clearing so
much easier, and, to that extent, was a benefit. No one was hurt, no
houses were blown down; useless trees were the only victims of the wrath
of AEolus Madison, on account of this circumstance, was given the
pseudonym "Windfall."
HARVEST HOME.
An institution of the west part of this county and the east part of Wood
county is the annual harvest festival and thanksgiving. This beautiful
social custom of yearly meeting and feasting originated in 1857, in the
form of union Sunday-school and pioneer meetings. Historical
reminiscences and speeches relating to Sunday-school work were delivered
and all united in a bountiful picnic dinner. Gradually, however, as the
range of visitors extended beyond the limits of the neighborhood, the
character of the meetings changed until now it has become a general
holiday.
These annual gatherings are held August 30th, and are under the
management of a president and committee of arrangements. Morris Reese,
esq., of Pemberville, has been president since the institution of the
holiday. The meetings are held in Mr. Reese's grove. Expenses are met by
charging license to sell confectionary, etc. No intoxicating drinks are
allowed on the premises. The farmers of this section can well afford to
devote one day in the year to social pleasures and thanksgiving. Nowhere
in Ohio is agriculture better rewarded, besides, such gatherings conduce
to the unity and consequently the happiness of the community.
Source: History of Sandusky County, Ohio with Portraits and
Biographies of Prominent Citizens and Pioneers, by H. Z. Williams &
Bro., Homer Everett, (c) 1882, pp. 793-806
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